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Memorial Hockey Tourney To Be Held For Edina Boy

EDINA, Minn. (WCCO) - The life of an Edina boy is being remembered through the sport he loved best.

Eight-year-old Quinn Kirsch died from a heart condition one year ago this week.

He was the youngest of four brothers. Quinn loved his Irish heritage and ice hockey.

When Quinn was two, doctors detected a hole in his heart and a pacemaker was implanted.

For the next six years, he was as active as any other kid. Quinn's godfather, Dan Miller, says that on the day he died, he had spent the entire day playing hockey with his dad.

"His dad said to him afterwards how much fun he had playing hockey with him that day, and how neat it was for him to be outside with Quinny all that day," Miller said.

That night, unexpectedly, Quinn went into cardiac arrest. He died at the hospital hours later. Hundreds of friends and family turned out for his funeral.

Doctors determined that Quinn had myocarditis, which is a virus in the heart. Now, his family wants to raise awareness through hockey.

"We thought what a tribute to Quinn and what a way to celebrate Quinn," Miller said.

More than 250 kids have signed up to play in the first annual Quinn's Cup Tournament at Centennial Lakes in Edina. Many of them played youth hockey with Quinn.

The tournament will happen Saturday and will run all day. With each goal scored, teams will be helping Quinn's family achieve a bigger goal.

All proceeds will go towards the Myocarditis Research Foundation.

Miller said the eight year old had a big heart. His family is now realizing just how big.

"A silver lining of a very gray cloud has been the outpouring of support that they've seen from so many different areas of their lives," he said.

Saturday's tournament is for kids 10 and under. University of Minnesota mascot Goldy Gopher will also be in attendance.

Miller says this is the first annual Quinn's Cup, but he hopes it's the first of many.

The tournament will begin at 9 a.m. In addition to hockey, there will be face painting and other fundraising activities.

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